Who Are We?

EMILE AVANESSIAN

Emile amassed more than a decade's experience in investment banking and research, financial analysis and risk management, at some of the world's leading companies, including Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Citi, Société Générale, PayPal and Take-2 Interactive Software. He has conducted transaction and market analyses, company valuations, authored detailed case studies, and successfully planned and managed several projects - including development and implementation of a virtual economy monitoring function for the Grand Theft Auto Online and NBA 2K video games - working with teams from Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Emile has more than 12 years' experience as a freelance and independent writer. He's authored research reports, case studies, corporate communications and marketing materials, as well as original creative content focusing on NBA basketball, Spanish football (with a Barcelona lean) and the restaurant and culinary technology industries. In addition to his online home, Hardwood Hype, Emile's work has been featured on numerous prominent outlets, including ESPN, Yahoo Sports, The Los Angeles Times, The Blizzard, Emerging.com, Sports Illustrated, SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Barça Blaugranes, BarçaBlog and Beyond the Last Man. 

LAURA JOHNSON AVANESSIAN

Laura (Chef Laura Johnson to many), meanwhile, is a classically trained chef. A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education (I.C.E.) in New York, she worked in some of New York City's top restaurants, including Jean-Georges' ABC Kitchen. Laura went on to work for eight years as a Personal Chef for clients in New York City, Connecticut and The Hamptons.

These days, Laura is the Head Chef and Recipe Developer with Bold Palate Foods, for whom she also provides social media strategy and content development services.

Laura is also a regular contributor to Emerging.com, as well as a freelance recipe developer and strategic and culinary consultant for cookbooks, podcasts, a children's book series, and a meal-delivery service.